Robert Napoleon Bright

Robert Napoleon Bright, a devoted father, grandfather, and retired shipbuilder, passed away on August 10, 2025, in Hampton, VA. He was born in Whiteville, NC, to the late Thomas Napoleon "Poley" Bright and Eva Florence Phillips Bright.

After serving in the Air Force, Robert dedicated 38 and a half years of his life to Newport News Shipbuilding, where he built a long and respected career as a shipfitter. After his retirement, he found great joy in fishing, spending time with his friends in the "Breakfast Club," a group of his fellow retired colleagues, and the many road trips with Linda Gallahan Burns.

He is survived by his sons William Michael Bright and Robert Timothy Bright, both of Hampton, VA, and daughter and son-in-law Patricia Marie Moore and Craig of Hampton, VA. He was a proud grandfather to Nathan Lester Moore and Kyle Robert Moore. He also leaves behind a brother, James Allen "Jimmy" Bright of Hallsboro, NC and a sister, Annette Bright Garrell of Lake Waccamaw, NC.

Robert was preceded in death by his brothers William Howard Bright, William Roscoe "Bill" Bright, and Bobby Bright, as well as his sisters Ora Mae Goodwin, Betty Rose Monroe Bright, Bertha "Bert" Bright Price, Annie Louise Bridgers, and Esther Lena Bright.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home. A funeral service to celebrate Robert's life will take place on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the funeral home, with the interment following at Hampton Memorial Gardens.